Aloe! Winter

BRITS – This is the time of the year when the aloes show off the most and are in full flower. They also provide a much needed food source for bees and birds, in this dry and cold period.

A colourful change is seen this time of year, when the aloe plants around South Africa starts to bloom into colourful rainbows gracing the landscape of your garden or the bush. The birds, bees and butterflies are attracted to the plants in winter time, and benefits greatly when food sources are scarce. Various birds and insects flock to the aloes to survive the cold and dry season.

The aloes in turn give away nothing for free and their flower structures are designed by nature to benefit from the visitors by getting pollinated while giving away nectar and pollen. The pollen and nectar is released continuously during the day to ensure back and forth visits that maximises the chance of successful pollination and subsequent seed set.

This neat mutual beneficial situation guarantees the survival of all involved. This also makes it clear that we shouldn’t remove aloes from the bush.